Coin processor

Abstract

To provide a coin processor capable of more accurately identifying the types of coins.SOLUTION: A coin processor 100 includes: a dispensing unit 110 for receiving multiple coins and feeding them out one at a time at intervals; and a sorting unit 120 for receiving the coins one at a time from the sorting unit, identifying the coin type, and guiding the coins to respective paths for each type. The sorting unit includes a first displacement sensor 132 for measuring the vertical displacement of the coin's upper surface and a second displacement sensor 133 for measuring the vertical displacement of the coin's lower surface. The coin processor identifies the coin type based on the vertical displacement trend of the coin's upper surface and the vertical displacement trend of the coin's lower surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for a coin processing device for receiving coins and storing them by type. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, devices for receiving coins and sorting them by type have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-177387 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing device. Patent Document 1 provides a coin processing device that includes a sorting unit that receives coins and sends them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the sorting unit, moves the coins along an arc, determines the type of coin, and guides the coins to a path for each type. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-177387 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can more accurately distinguish the type of coin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin processing device including a handling unit for receiving a plurality of coins and sending them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit for receiving coins one by one from the handling unit, identifying the type of coin, and guiding the coin to a path for each type. The sorting unit includes a first displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing device identifies the type of coin based on the transition of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin and the transition of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a coin processing device that can more accurately determine the type of coin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the entire coin processing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing a coin identifying and sorting unit of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the entire coin processing device showing the flow of coins when depositing coins according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the entire coin processing device according to the present embodiment, showing the flow of coins when depositing coins. [Figure 6] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the entire coin processing device showing the flow of coins when dispensing according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the entire coin processing device showing the flow of coins when dispensing according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the coin identifying and sorting unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a top perspective view showing the coin identifying and sorting unit with the conveying rotor removed according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a separating unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the configuration of a guide pin according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the separating unit in the present embodiment with two coins inserted into the hole. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a separating unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the size configuration of each part of the separating unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the separating unit when dispensing coins according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a sorting unit and a separating unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a horizontal displacement sensor of the recognition unit of the sorting unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view showing the configuration of an identification unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a side view showing the configuration of an upper surface displacement sensor and a lower surface displacement sensor of the recognition unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a graph showing the measurement results obtained by the upper surface displacement sensor and the measurement results obtained by the lower surface displacement sensor according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. <Overall configuration of coin handling device 100>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101, and is provided with a coin insertion slot 102 at the top and a coin ejection slot 103 at the bottom.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the coin processing device 100 has a coin identifying and sorting unit 105 at its upper part for sorting and sending out coins by type, a coin dispensing unit 150 at its middle part for storing and dispensing coins by type, and a control unit 190 at its lower part. In this embodiment, the coin dispensing unit 150 is made up of an upper dispensing unit 151 for four denominations and a lower dispensing unit 152 for four denominations. The control unit 190 includes a microcomputer 191 for controlling each unit of the coin processing device 100, other communication interfaces, and the like. The microcomputer 191 includes, for example, a CPU and various types of memories.

[0011] 3 is a plan view of the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of inserted coins are sent one by one to the sorting unit 120 by the handling unit 110. The sorting unit 120 identifies the type of coin for each coin and sends it to a reject conveying path 1510 formed outside the sorting unit, a first conveying path 1511 formed outside the sorting unit, a second conveying path 1512 formed inside the sorting unit, a third conveying path 1513 formed outside the sorting unit, a fourth conveying path 1514 formed inside the sorting unit, a fifth conveying path 1515 formed outside the sorting unit, a sixth conveying path 1516 formed inside the sorting unit, a seventh conveying path 1517 formed outside the sorting unit, an eighth conveying path 1518 formed inside the sorting unit, or an overflow conveying path 1519 formed outside the sorting unit.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the process of sorting and storing inserted coins. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the process of sorting and storing inserted coins. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, coins sent to the reject conveying path 1510 are rejected from the coin discharge port 103 by moving downward at their right end in a front view and their front end in a side view. Coins sent to the overflow conveying path 1519 are sent to a container located below the coin processing device 100 by moving downward at their left end in a front view and their front end in a side view. Coins sent to the first conveying path 1511, the third conveying path 1513, the fifth conveying path 1515, and the seventh conveying path 1517 outside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage units of the upper dispensing unit 151 according to their denominations. Coins sent to the second conveying path 1512, fourth conveying path 1514, sixth conveying path 1516, and eighth conveying path 1518 inside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in designated storage sections of the lower dispensing unit 152 by denomination.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the flow when coins are dispensed or collected in a collection box (not shown). FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the flow when coins are dispensed or collected. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , coins accumulated from the outside of the sorting unit 120 via the first, third, fifth, and seventh paths are sent forward through the upper dispensing unit 151 and then descend to be dispensed from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection box from the collection port 104 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 190. Coins accumulated from the lower side of the sorting unit 120 via the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth paths are sent forward through the lower dispensing unit 152 and then descend to be dispensed from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection box from the collection port 104 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 190. <Configuration of the coin identification and sorting unit 105>

[0014] Next, the configuration of the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 at the top of the coin processing device 100 will be described. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 mainly includes a sorting unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 110 is arranged on the front side, i.e., the front part, of the coin processing device 100, and is responsible for sending coins that are successively inserted through the coin insertion slot 102 one by one to the sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 120 is arranged on the back side, i.e., the rear part, of the coin processing device 100, and is responsible for identifying the type of coin sent from the sorting unit 110 and sending it to a transport path according to its type. <Configuration of the separating unit 110>

[0015] The following describes the separating unit 110. With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the separating unit 110 is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. An intake turntable 113 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 111. A plurality of holes 113X into which coins fit are formed in the intake turntable 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the drive shaft. The intake turntable 113 is driven by a motor (not shown), and pushes the coins that have fit into the holes 113X outward one by one from an outlet at the rear of the side wall 112, sending them to the separating unit 120.

[0016] More specifically, the coin rotates clockwise in a plan view in accordance with the movement of the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113, and when it hits the guide pins 114, 114, 114, it is pushed backward along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114, i.e., outward from the side wall 112. The guide pins 114, 114, 114 are configured as shown in Fig. 11 and are biased upward.

[0017] Here, a mechanism for sending coins one by one from the handling unit 110 to the sorting unit 120 will be described. The coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a mechanism for outputting only one coin from one hole 113X through the outlet 113Y of the handling unit 110, even when multiple coins remain piled up in one hole 113X and the coins start to be transported by the intake turntable 113. This configuration will be described below.

[0018] 10 to 13, the separating unit 110 according to this embodiment is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. An intake turntable 113 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 111. A plurality of holes 113X into which coins fit are formed in the intake turntable 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the drive shaft.

[0019] Each of the three holes 113X has a discharge opening 113Y for one coin formed diagonally rearward and closer to the outside. A scraper 115 is provided in each of the discharge openings 113Y. The scraper 115 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction and is biased downward by a spring or the like. The scraper 115 according to this embodiment is configured so that when pushed upward, it stops at a position that is +α mm higher than the expected thickness of the coin C1. When the scraper 115 is closed downward, a gap of approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the lower end of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0020] In this embodiment, in plan view, the surface at the tip of the scraper 115 is formed into a curved shape with the same curvature as the inner periphery of the hole 113X of the take-in turntable 113. In other words, in plan view, the hole 113X and the scraper 115 form one smooth circle.

[0021] In particular, in this embodiment, a base guide 119 is disposed below the intake turntable 113. More specifically, below the side wall 112, a rib 119X is provided that stands upright from the base guide 119 and extends around the periphery of the circular base 111.

[0022] The rib 119X is not provided in the area where the coin C1 is transferred to and from the sorting unit 120. In other words, the rib 119X protrudes upward near the outer periphery of the inside of the holes 113X, 113X, 113X in a location other than the area where the coin C1 is transferred to and from the sorting unit 120.

[0023] This keeps the outer portions of one or more coins that have entered holes 113X, 113X, 113X in a state where they are raised above base 111. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that two or more coins that have entered holes 113X will both lie completely on the upper surface of base 111, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that two or more coins will be discharged from discharge port 113Y at once.

[0024] As described above, in the sorting section 110 of this embodiment, as the intake turntable 113 rotates, coins C1 that fall into the hole 113X are pushed by the scraper 115 and the side of the hole 113X, and are pushed outward one by one from the discharge outlet 113Y of the hole 113X and the discharge outlet 112X at the rear of the side wall 112, and are sent to the sorting section 120.

[0025] 14, in this embodiment, the height of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 that protrude above the surface of the base 111 is set to be even lower than the thinnest coin that the device is designed for, for example, about 1 mm.

[0026] In addition, because the height (gap) of the coin discharge port 113Y from the base 111 of the intake turntable 113 is the thickness of the target maximum coin + α mm, if the smallest coin of a type whose maximum thickness is about twice the minimum thickness is inserted, there is a possibility that they will be transported overlapping. However, because the height of the feed guide pins 114, 114... is set even lower than the target minimum thinnest coin, even if two thin coins are placed overlapping in the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113, the upper coin C2 will not collide with the guide pins 114, 114... and will be pushed back into the side wall 112 and hole 113X.

[0027] 15, even if two thin coins are stacked in the hole 113X of the take-in turntable 113, only the bottom coin C1 is pushed by the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and pushes the slope 115X of the scraper 115 upward and rearward. That is, the scraper 115 is lifted upward against the biasing force. On the other hand, the upper coin C2 does not collide with the guide pin 114 but is stopped by the scraper 115 and pushed back into the side wall 112 and the hole 113X. As a result, only the bottom coin C1 passes through the discharge opening 113Y and the discharge opening 112X of the side wall 112 and is discharged to the sorting unit 120. <Configuration of the sorting unit 120>

[0028] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. With reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 16, the sorting unit 120 is provided with a circular base 121 and a side wall 122 provided on the outer periphery of the base 121. A conveying rotor 123 is disposed above the base 121. A plurality of conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed on the conveying rotor 123 to push and advance coins from behind. In this embodiment, five conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed. That is, the conveying pins 123X, 123X... are attached at 72° intervals around the axis of the conveying rotor 123. The conveying rotor 123 is driven by the drive motor 106 to slide the coins one by one along the passage between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 139 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view. That is, in this embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can simultaneously transport a maximum of five coins and send them out onto the transport path.

[0029] More specifically, the front end of the side wall 122 of the sorting unit 120, i.e., the wall surface on the sorting unit 110 side, is opened, and coins are sent in from the sorting unit 110. The received coins are pushed by the transport pins 123X and move to the right between the side wall 122 and the transport guide 139. That is, in a plan view, the coins move counterclockwise around the circular base 121.

[0030] The recognition unit 130 uses a displacement sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc. to determine whether the coins sent by the conveying pins 123X are genuine or counterfeit, and to identify the type of coin. The configuration of the recognition unit 130 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0031] 16, 17 and 18, the recognition unit 130 includes a horizontal displacement sensor 131, a front surface displacement sensor 132, a rear surface displacement sensor 133, and a magnetic sensor 134.

[0032] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 is used to measure the width and diameter of the coin C1 sent from the separating unit 110. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, a horizontal detection lever 131X is directly or indirectly connected to the horizontal displacement sensor 131. The horizontal detection lever 131X is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and is biased toward the side wall 122. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the detection lever 1311, the detection lever 131X is pushed inward, and the horizontal displacement sensor 131 detects the amount by which the horizontal detection lever 131X is pushed in, thereby measuring the width and diameter of the coin C1.

[0033] The surface displacement sensor 132 is for measuring the height of the front side of the coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, a surface detection lever 132X is directly or indirectly connected to the surface displacement sensor 132. The surface detection lever 132X is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction and is biased toward the conveyance surface below. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the surface detection lever 132X, the surface detection lever 132X is pushed upward, and the surface displacement sensor 132 detects the amount by which the surface detection lever 132X is pushed up, thereby measuring the change in the height of the surface of the coin C1.

[0034] The back surface displacement sensor 133 is for measuring the height of the back surface side of the coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, a back surface detection lever 133X is directly or indirectly connected to the back surface displacement sensor 133. The back surface detection lever 133X is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction and is biased toward the upper conveying surface. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the back surface detection lever 133X, the back surface detection lever 133X is pushed downward, and the back surface displacement sensor 133 detects the amount by which the back surface detection lever 133X is pushed down, thereby measuring the change in the height of the back surface of the coin C1.

[0035] The magnetic sensor 134 uses a coil to identify the material of the coin C1. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18, the magnetic sensor 134 is disposed below the conveyance surface.

[0036] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of horizontal displacement to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the diameter of the coin C1 based on the transition of the amount of change.

[0037] The surface displacement sensor 132 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of upward displacement to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. Based on the change in the amount of change, the microcomputer 191 obtains the change in the height of the obverse side of the coin C1, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The back surface displacement sensor 133 of the recognition unit 130 sends the downward displacement amount to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. Based on the change in the amount of change, the microcomputer 191 obtains the change in the height of the back surface side of the coin C1, as shown in FIG.

[0039] The magnetic sensor 134 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of change in magnetism to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the material of the coin C1 based on the amount of change.

[0040] The microcomputer 191 according to this embodiment stores the diameter, the transition of the height of the front surface, the transition of the height of the back surface, and the material of each coin type. The microcomputer 191 then identifies the coin type that matches the diameter of the coin C1 measured this time, the transition of the height of the front surface of the coin C1, the transition of the height of the back surface of the coin C1, and the material of the coin C1. In this embodiment, the type of coin C1 is identified based on four elements, allowing for more accurate coin identification.

[0041] In this embodiment, the memory of the microcomputer 191 stores the transport path or the location of the storage case for each type of coin. Based on the judgment result and the identification result, the microcomputer 191 transports the coin C1 that could not be identified to a reject path, and transports the coin C1 whose type could be identified to a transport path or storage location according to the type.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment transports four types of coins toward the outside of the circular sorting unit and transports four types of coins toward the bottom. <Summary>

[0043] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided that includes a handling unit that receives multiple coins and sends them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the handling unit, identifies the type of coin, and guides the coin to a path for each type. The sorting unit includes a first displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing device identifies the type of coin based on the transition of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin and the transition of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin.

[0044] Preferably, the sorting unit further includes a magnetic sensor for identifying the material of the coin, and a displacement sensor for measuring the diameter of the coin. The coin processing device identifies the type of coin based on the transition of vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, the transition of vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin, the coin material, and the coin diameter.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100: Coin processing device 101: Housing 102: Coin slot 103:Coin ejection port 104: Collection port 105: Coin identification and sorting unit 106: Drive motor 110: Cutting Department 111: Bass 112: Side wall 112X: Outlet 113: Capture turntable 113X: Coin storage hole 113Y: Coin ejection port 114: Guide pin 115: Scraper 115X: Slope 119: Base Guide 120: Sorting Department 121: Bass 122: Side wall 123: Rotating conveyor 123X: Carrying pin 130: Identification unit 131: Horizontal displacement sensor 131X: Level detection lever 132: Surface displacement sensor 132X: Surface detection lever 133: Backside displacement sensor 133X: Back detection lever 134: Magnetic sensor 139: Transport guide 150: Coin dispensing section 151: Upper dispensing section 152: Lower dispensing section 190: Control unit 191: Microcomputer 1510: Reject transport route 1511: First transport route 1512: Second transport route 1513: Third transport route 1514: 4th transport route 1515: 5th transport route 1516: 6th transport route 1517: 7th transport route 1518: 8th transport route 1519: Overflow transport route C1: Coins C2: Coins

Claims

1. a handling unit for receiving a plurality of coins and sending them out one by one at intervals; a sorting unit that receives the coins one by one from the handling unit, identifies the type of the coin, and guides the coins to a path for each type, The sorting unit is a first displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin; a second displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin; The coin processing device identifies the type of the coin based on the transition of vertical displacement of the upper surface of the coin and the transition of vertical displacement of the lower surface of the coin.

2. The sorting unit is a magnetic sensor for identifying the material of the coin; a displacement sensor for measuring the diameter of the coin; The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the type of the coin is identified based on the change in the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, the change in the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin, the material of the coin, and the diameter of the coin.

Images